Letters, July 25

E-scooter enforcement required

Re: Man hurt by e-scooter wants rules enacted (July 23)

After reading about Mike McKenna’s unfortunate collision with an e-scooter, I fully appreciated the expressed need for rules to regulate the use of such vehicles.

I am assuming that regulations would prohibit the use of such vehicles on city sidewalks, in the same way that bicycles are also banned from use on said sidewalks.

Well, we all know how well that works. Realistically, we know that there is nobody to enforce such rules. In terms of bicycles alone, I observe cyclists going through red lights, failing to stop at stop signs, hitting cars and running down people using the sidewalk, all without consequence. If we want fair play, cyclists and riders of electric scooters, skateboards and bikes need to assume their share of responsibility.

I propose that we reinstate the mandatory licensing of such vehicles so we can at least identify riders when there are serious infractions. Mr. McKenna was lucky he was hit by a conscientious rider, but others have not been so fortunate, and many will fail to be in upcoming accidents just waiting to happen.

Mary-Jane Robinson, Winnipeg

Coal continues to burn

Re: Climate change? It’s already here (Think Tank, July 23)

If Scott Forbes is so certain that reduction of fossil fuel use in Canada and beyond would alleviate the deleterious effects of fossil fuels, he needs to consider a few realities.

First, since Canada is responsible for only 1.6 per cent of global carbon emissions, even halving that amount would have an imperceptible effect on temperatures worldwide.

Even more sobering is a recent report by Vijay Vijayraj, of the Virginia-based CO2 Coalition, which points out that global coal usage reached a record high of nine billion tons in 2025 — more coal mined and consumed than any time in history. China alone added 80 gigawatts of new coal-fired generation, enough to power 60 million households.

Meanwhile, the current Iran war has cut liquefied natural gas supplies so that many nations have switched to coal, and the biggest surge has been in south and southeast Asia, particularly China and India. So, alternate energy may have grown but so has coal demand — but only to supplement fossil fuels, not supplant them. As well, at today’s consumption rates and extraction techniques, coal reserves should last another 130-150 years and there are deeper reserves well beyond that.

So, the facts are that slightly rising temperatures haven’t had a negative effect on the world’s population, life expectancies, or agricultural output. The opposite is true and when people and governments have to choose between the energy security of fossil fuels and unreliable sources such as wind and solar, it’s obvious which is and will continue to be the winner.

Edward Katz, Winnipeg

The Trump reality

Danielle Smith and others may seek a win-win outcome in Canada’s trade negotiations with the U.S.

That is all well and good; however, Donald Trump does not believe in win-win outcomes. He believes in a zero-sum game where there is a winner and a loser, and he is always the winner.

Whatever the final outcome may be in these negotiations, Trump must come away feeling like the winner. Achieving our goals and satisfying his need to feel victorious will be no easy feat.

April Phillips, Winnipeg

A glimmer of light in darkness

Re: Body of second sibling pulled from lake (July 24)

Allison Baker-Thiessen, who owns Nutimik Lodge with her husband, Harry Thiessen, has been among those helping the Au Ramirez family since the search began for their two missing boys.

The world is going to be OK as long as there are people like Baker-Thiessen and her husband, Harry Thiessen.

Without hesitation they gave love and comfort to a family when they needed it most. During times of complete dismay and loss, when a stranger is willing to comfort you and your family, you come to the realization that during the darkest hours of your life there are people who care.

Alfred Sansregret, Winnipeg

Instruments of pain

Re: “Military spending is madness” (Letters, July 24)

Kudos to Ernie Wiens for his bold analysis of Canada’s movement towards greater militarization. I am old enough to remember the time when Canada was internationally regarded as a key player in international peacekeeping efforts.

Mr. Wiens’ argument is largely based on economic considerations. However, I believe it would be worthwhile to consider the more subtle effects of Canada’s becoming known as an arms manufacturer. I wonder what it does to the “soul” of a country — i.e., what it means to be Canadian.

At the entrance to the United Nations headquarters in New York City is a poem by the Persian poet Saadi Shirazi:

Human beings are members of a whole,

In creation of one essence and soul.

If one member is afflicted with pain,

Other members uneasy will remain.

If you’ve no sympathy for human pain,

The name of human, you cannot retain!

What is arms production but the creation of instruments of human pain?

Edwin Buettner, Winnipeg

Acknowledgement of caring

Re: Care beyond compare (July 16)

Thank you for this wonderful article about the Convalescent Home of Winnipeg. When I worked at the Convalescent Home of Winnipeg, I had the privilege of caring for Manitoba’s oldest resident.

CEO Justin Lagace says that he loves the Convalescent Home of Winnipeg. I felt the same way when I worked there.

Keep up the good work, folks.

Rich North, Winnipeg

Fringe parking frustrations

Gee, it’s almost like the people who work for the City of Winnipeg have no clue what is going on in their city.

Fringe Festival is on? Never heard of it. Let’s rip up chunks of sidewalk right in front of the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre.

Shows at the West End Cultural Centre and the Gargoyle? Oops, decided to reconstruct Sherbrook right at this particular moment. You didn’t want parking, did you? Well, if you insist, let’s change the parking restrictions in that area.

Oh, did we forget to mention the changes didn’t apply to Ellice? Oops again, wave goodbye to your car as you exit the theatre.

Enjoy our city! Be sure to come back soon (maybe we’ll have it finished by then)!

Sharon Tod, Winnipeg

Much thanks and a standing ovation to the generous Fringe-goer who paid for our street parking on Thursday afternoon when he discovered me unsuccessfully trying to pay with the PayByPhone app.

I have used the app before, but this time was a frustrating exercise that must have been theatric enough to draw this Samaritan’s attention. He simply added our vehicle to his own parking purchase and refused my efforts to compensate him as he trotted off to another Fringe event.

The encounter did remind me how awful it must be for anyone to navigate the city’s downtown parking options if they are not in possession of a updated device with access to online payment options.

Neil Coligan, Winnipeg